New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-27
Dr. PARKER AND PLYMOUTH OHUROH


sIGNIFICANCE OF HIS VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY.
Dr. Joseph Parker, pastor OF tho City Temple. the
largest church in London sailed Sat
urday for stay OF months In this country where
be will lecture and preach His visit especia,
interest in view OF the fact that he Is TO deliver tho
eulogy upon Henry Ward Beecher In Brooklyn. and 10
preach in Plymouth Church in the early part OF October
His coming will revive the discussion or the probabi
ties OF his remaining en- this side OF the ocean and ~
filling the vacancy In Brooklyn pulpits caused by Mr..
Beechers death Several OF the leading rupits in THE
city have been filed by from abroad OF whom De-
william VI. Taylor, OF the Broadway Tabernacle; DR.
John Hail. OF the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.
and Dr. T.. d. Bevan. who for time was pastor OF the
Brick Presbyterian Church, are conspicuous examples
Dr. Parker 10 nowin fifty seventh year having been
horn I'm Northumberland In 1880. lie educated in
University College In early life he belonged to tho
Methodist new connection but after his education
completed he became a tongregatonslst He was
ordained In 1888 n Banbury. OKfordslre, where 10
bega to preach In small chapel HIS success was such
that In 1858 he was called 10 the Cayendsh Chapel Ia
Manchester, large and wealthy society In accepting
be made a stipulation that the debt OF 'be church he
VIA, leaving should be paid. and this was done Aftes
eleven years work Manchester the popular preacher
was called ii metropolitan pastorate In the Poutney
Chapel close to the Bank OF England This was situated
in the business centre OF London. and It expected
that the edhce would speedily make way for business
structure and that the society would follow the others
which had moved out TO the suburbs But DR.. Parker
decided that there room for great hurch In that
neighborhood. When the old building was pulled down
a new one built near the IIolborn Vi'duct IL will
seat several thousand persons and Is often too small 70
contain all who desire to hear the preacher DR. Parker
fills and dominates the church His books HIS lectures
and his sermons are advertised every hand Besides
the regular sunday he breaches each Thurs
day at noon and an audience Oi solid bushes, 10
gathered TO hear him.
To hold such an audience the preacher must possess
moro than ordinary ability. Or. Parkers style is essou
TALLY his own. He has been termed The Beecher Il
England" but the phrase does not express anything
more than his power OF interesting large congregations
aud his beraity Of belief As orator and preacner
he Ia wholly unlike the great Plymouth pastor MI
BeeChor dealt largely In humor AMI lighted mp HE
By the play or fancy Dr. Parker Is straight
forward and mattero fact, AMI hts uttoranccs ara
largely epigrammatc H. ia wide reader and has The
art OF presenting the freshest thoughts all top
cast In the mould Of his own mind aud illustrated ~
lessons from practical experience In his own church
he occupies a marble pulpit, presented by tho Corp'rs
ton OF the city OF London. He wears the black gown
and in his personality there Is the appearance d
strength, both mental ana physical.
In this country Or. Parker IS most widely known A a
writer. although he was sent Con gre auond
delegate to the meeting OF the Evangelical Alliance q
few years ago. an received ms desr OF d. D. from
the University OF Chicago II. most important work
commentary entitled The Peoples Bible This pro.
cd 10 Ill twenty volumes, OF Wucn eleven
ALREADY been prepared. six covering parts of ae Oh
Testament aud I'VE taking up New Testament theme.
Part Of the latter have been Issued separately vol
ume ~ sermons ou The Apostolic Life" Perhaps the
inst which gained much public attention for Aip
was Ecce Deus" reply 10 Professor seeiye' Ecos
Homo" one Of bis early works was Helps 10 Truth
seekers" lie has also written Al Clerum." Ihs
Faraclce AMI several tracts HIS published woTAs ars
lar. c.y composed or pulpit disco ur,es, revised aud
adapted 10 form suitable Tor permanent prr-cryl
ton As writer lie ranks among The leading Ones Who
have chosen disunctNcy religious themes Ani De- po-
SCENTS he tlougIt, IN form attractive 10 tur average
'i P,r,r Si'i 20 ~ The Ct,. t,r t.e r.,t low
weeks hut will return 10 preach ia Plymouth tuIlru "a
SUNDAY October . He VIII deliver typ sermons go hat
day and has agreed 10 preach th.rl 300 zee church
will probably Dee delivered IN the Brooklyn Arl' f =
Music on the evening % Tuesday. October o. although
October lO ms been suggested - more apT"prtis
date. it would be TIC foructn anul'ei-ai} ID. Mr.
Bccchcr, first sermon IN ~ m"uil Church tiicr accept
Ing the pasOrate Or Parker viii then lecture I'D ilis
city ana be Will also adlr'-. gathering of minister.
similar to that which Mr. Beech"r addressed Do Lowl'n
last year In regard 10 MS probable call 10 f} uouth
Church the matter mas not sufficiently advanced for any
positive statement 70 be made Thomas g.. -heiiintn
went abroad early IN the summer AMI conferred WIN r
Parker but no definite statement OF tue result 80 neth
made known IL Is generally believed that Dr ftt.ee
would not give mp ms assured position in Lonion tr th
Doubt whether he would succeed I'm holding tho
audiences wIch Mr. Beccher gathered or OF fuy saus
lng the members VINO 80 long listened 10 the words OF
their fayote pastor But the result of his sermons IN
BrookyI Will be awaited with great interest a. the i'm
any Will be made for his retention there In any
event 1t Is not at all likely that an Immediate call viii %
decided upon. People In al parts OF the country VIII
have opportunity him during his lecture tour
before the matter "a settled
one reason urged In favor OF DR. Parkers accepunga
call II one Is given him. u That ia new held lie woni
bee able Ia again much Of the material for sermons
wicl he has accumulated IN his ministerial life and
thus he woui leisure for his literary work.
lie would also ind Held for the sale Of his books IN
ths country II lie remains here In his Last address IN ms
city Temple before his departure from England pr Par
ker told people that he would not again address them
unit the sunday OF April. lssS. lie also said In
reference % the reports that he would remain IN tho
ulted states that the ony reason which woud ;uIhce
him go the fact that there are no Disorders
here. This remark was regarded a. highly Significant
Some o: the hcrs Ot PmOutl Church think that 10
the man could be called 10 the pistprate AMI
others strongly inclined 20 believe that he would not
build the church the lines laid ont by Mr. Beecher
every member has an equal voice In the choice or
pas u Will not be easy 10 secure entire agreement